The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • BUK VC to journalists: Embrace investigative, data-based journalism

    By Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

    The Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Prof. Muhammad Yahuza Bello, has charged journalists to embrace investigative and data-driven journalism, describing it as the only weapon to fight corruption and promote democracy.

    Yahuza, who stated this during the opening ceremony of a two-day experience sharing workshop on investigative journalism for Nigerian and Ghanaian journalists, lecturers and students of Mass Communication in universities and polytechnics held at the BUK, said without  investigative journalism, Nigeria’s nascent democracy will remain in jeopardy.

    Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Adamu Idris Sambo, he noted that BUK has spent millions of naira to improve the faculty of communications, so as to make it a world-class institution that can groom journalists who have the capacity to make serious impacts on the country’s democratic development.

    “Today’s activity is part of a series of activities being implemented in the faculty with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, which has given us a grant to strengthen the teaching and research of investigative and data-driven journalism to reduce the prevalence of corruption in the country.

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    “So far, with the grant, we have established a new multi studio digital radio station, set up a150-computer laboratory, given scholarship support to about 100 undergraduates and post-graduates female students as well as supported a number of knowledge enhancement activities.”

    “Most importantly,” he said, “the grant has helped Nigeria through Bayero University that led to the process to review and unbundle the national Mass Communication curricular.”

    He said the renewed curricular has been designed to change the face and process of communication studies in Nigeria to ensure that what is offered in Nigerian universities align with global dynamics in Information Communication Technologies (ICT), as well as the changing realities in the country.

    Yahuza further stated that good journalism based on credibility, ethics and data is critical to national development, pointing out that “quality investigative journalism is central in winning the current war against corruption in the country.”

    Also speaking, Prof. Umaru Pate of the Post Graduate School of the University, delivering the welcome address, commended the lead presenter in the workshop, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, for his doggedness in the promotion of undercover and investigative journalism.

    He said notable examples of the tangible impacts of the Ghana-born Anas’ works have contributed to the jailing of corrupt leaders in Ghana and across Africa.

  • Centre launches book to honour late Ochanya

    By Omolara Akintoye

    The Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), has tasked the federal, state and local governments in the country to hasten the late Ochanya Ogbanje case and ensure that perpetrators are brought to book.

    It also launched a book titled ‘Justice for Ochanya’ in honour of the late 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje, to mark one year of her death, after she was allegedly abused by her uncle.

    Ogbanje was sexually molested allegedly by her aunt’s husband, Andrew Ogbuja, and his son, Victor Ogbuja, in Benue State from age eight till her death in October 2018.

    Following her death, CEE-HOPE Nigeria said the child protection workshop became essential to ensure that justice is served on Ochanya’s death, and also advocates immediate end to child molestation and sexual abuse.

    Speaking at the event in Lagos, the Convener of CEE-HOPE Nigeria, Betty Abah, called on Nigeria to prioritise child-friendly policies that will cater for the wellbeing of children, especially the most vulnerable ones.

    Read Also: Raped to death: Story of 13-year-old Ochanya Ogbanje

    She said, “We are using this workshop to draw the attention of the general public and the government to the fact that the case is ongoing and that justice must be served for Ochanya.”

    The one-day workshop had in attendance the late Ochanya’s elder brother, Ameh Ejekwonyilo, a journalist, who noted that a year after the ugly incident, the police had yet to declare wanted the second suspect, Victor Ogbuja, a final year student of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

    He also revealed that Ogbuja’s case would come up on October 9 at the State High Court in Makurdi, Benue, while the case of the wife, Felicia, comes up on October 8 at the Federal High Court, Makurdi.

    Mrs. Ogbuja is being prosecuted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for child endangerment, enslavement and negligence.

  • Jos Fulani allege marginalisation by Lalong

    By Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

    Fulani community in Plateau State has expressed worries over alleged continued marginalisation and ethnic discrimination by the government of Governor Simon Lalong.

    The Fulani community under the auspices of Jonde Jam Fulani Youths Association of Nigeria said since the inception of Gov Lalong’s administration five years ago, nomadic education has been left to collapse, as no Fulani children have access to basic education in the state.

    It also alleged that no political appointment has been given to any Fulani man in spite of their massive support for governor at the polls.

    In a press statement issued in Jos yesterday by national president of the group, Alhaji Sa’Idu Maikano, all efforts by the Fulani to draw the attention of Lalong to the marginalisation of their people in the state have yielded no positive response.

    Read Also: Appointments: Ijaws decry marginalisation, exclusion from Okowa’s Govt

    According to the statement: “We are not pleased to report that nomadic education has collapsed in Nigeria. Let me cite example with Plateau State which might also be applicable to most states in the country. Nomadic primary schools in Plateau State were 126 before the creation of Nasarawa State from Plateau. Plateau State was left with 86 nomadic schools. But today, the functional nomadic schools in Plateau cannot exceed 20 and the state government did nothing to develop them. This long neglect has led to the collapse of nomadic education in Plateau State.

    It also stated that “there is serious need for restructuring of nomadic education, as this will also enhance the government’s plans for Ruga settlement.

    “Finally, education plays a key role in the socio-economic development of the Nigerian society. Despite the importance of education, many Fulani children are not enjoying it. Policies by some state governments, proximity, mobility, lack of fund, faulty curriculum designs are some of the reasons of partial participation of the Fulani in public schools.”

    The group urged the federal government to “as a matter of urgency, come to the rescue of nomadic education in Plateau.”

    They also called on Lalong to “run an all inclusive government.”

  • JUST IN: Rivers Gov’ship petition: Awara loses to Wike

    By Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

    The Governorship Candidate of the Africa Action Congress(AAC), in the March 9, 2019 governorship elections in Rivers state, Biokpomabo Awara has lost his petition before Justice Kingsley Orjiakor-led three-man election Petition Panel in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    AWARA had petitioned to the tribunal to declare him rightful winner of the election shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) at the poll, Governor Nyesom Wike winner on April 2, 2019.

    He claimed that he had already won the polls in several local government areas of the state before INEC suspended the process over alleged violence.

    Read Also: Tribunals dismiss election petitions against Ihedioha, Sule, Masari

    But in his judgement, the Judge said Awara did not prove his case beyond reasonable that that he won the polls as he claimed and hence lacked merit.

    Reacting to the development shortly after the session, Lawyer to Emenike Ebete said it was a victory to Awara, stressing that the matter was earlier struck out by members of the election tribunal but was returned by the Court of Appeal to be tried on its merits.

    He said that the judgment has given the petitioner grounds of appeal before the Supreme court and assured that it will be appealed.

    Counsel to Governor Wike, Ferdinand Orbih a senior Advocate of Nigeria said judgment means that the victory of Governor has gotten judicial stamp.

  • Sound Sultan returns with Jungle Story 2

    Following the successful outing of its made edition last year, Lanre Fasasi, popularly known as Sound Sultan, has returned with the second edition of his star-studded Broadway-styled musical, Jungle Story 2.

    The show, which features prominent actors and musicians kicked off on Friday, October 4 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. It would end on Sunday, October 6 with the weekend events showing twice at 3pm and 7pm.

    Jungle Story 2 a sequel to the successful edition he had in 2018 is  produced by his Naija Ninja productions.

    Speaking on the inspiration behind the name, Jungle Story, Sound Sultan noted that it was his opinion on the events and occurrences in the country.

    “The story is about a land that became a jungle because the motherland cast a spell on its people that whosoever indulged in corruption would be transformed into animals and over the years one transformation after the other it became a full-fledged JUNGLE,” he said.

    Celebrities on the line-up for the show include Femi Kuti, Odunlade Adekola, Osas Ajibade, Femi Branch, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Lasisi Elenu, AY, Yaw, MI and Buchi. Others are Basket Mouth, Kate Henshaw, Harry Songz, Helen Paul, Ninja Band, Johnny Drille, Crown Troupe, Wale Ojo, Poco Lee, 2Baba, Seyi Shay, Dare Art-Alade and Senator.

  • Nigeria health sector need private support, says Doctor Brown

    The founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, Dr Ola Brown, has called for investment from the private sector participants in funding the health sector to improve the economy and help the government in delivering quality health service to Nigerians.

    Brown at an event organised by her firm to celebrate the unveiling of its new air ambulance interior in Lagos on Monday said Nigerians have a lot to gain if the private sector decide to contribute to the funding of the health sector.

    She described the health care industry as a major sector that was capable of growing the economy of any nation, stating that citizens need to be healthy for them to work.

    “Health care is not just investment in sick people, it is an investment in the economy because when people are ill, they can’t work. For every one dollar you invest in the health sector, you get two to ten dollars in terms of economic growth. And there is nothing we need more in Nigeria than economic growth. Our policymakers must start to see health care as an investment and not a cost.

    Read Also: Lambo: Time to end beauty contest in health sector

    “I believe air ambulance is even more important because we cannot continue to spend our entire health care budget on cement -building primary health care centres and more hospitals. Rather, we should invest in the people, doctors, their education and procuring of equipment.  The idea behind this initiative is to help patients get timely interventions regardless of where they live,” Brown said.

    She urged the Federal Government to invest and promote the idea of air ambulance noting that air ambulance provides answers to serious health issues.

    “Air ambulances are used all over the world to transport patients from areas where they have overwhelmed the level of care to a more suitable level of care. The world’s first air ambulance was started in Australia in 1928, since then it has moved millions of patients from the Australian outback into urban centers. This has saved the government of Australia billions of dollars, as there has been no need to construct a major hospital in every single town/city.

    “However, the sophisticated air ambulance system ensures that every patient can reach the correct specialist hospital within the right timeframe. The Flying Doctors Nigeria air ambulance services has been providing this essential service throughout West and Central Africa, moving patients within Nigeria, within the region and internationally,” she added.

    She said the service being rendered by her firm makes it easy for patients in Western and Central Africa to access specialist care within minutes, regardless of where they live.

  • Police arrest suspected fraudsters who dupe Chinese contractor of N30m in Kaduna

    By Ebele Boniface

    The police have arrested members of a notorious syndicate who specialised in impersonating governors and top politician to defraud unsuspecting contractors in Kaduna State.

    The fraudsters were said to have defrauded a Chinese contractor of the sum of N30.6 million over a phony road project.

    The suspects, Rita Waziri and Adamu Garuba, alias Hon. Ibrahim, were arrested by personnel of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

    The suspects were arrested after they defrauded a Chinese engineer identified simply as Su, of the sum of N30.6million under the guise of helping him to procure a road construction contract from the Kaduna State Government.

    Su, who is based in Abuja, according to sources, was approached in July 2018 by one Mayowa, a member of the syndicate who is currently serving a jail term at the Kirikiri Maximum Prison, over a separate fraud case, that the Kaduna State Government was searching for contractors to rehabilitate a 14 kilometer Road in Kagoro area of the state.

    In a bid to convince Su, Mayowa, brought in Garuba, and introduced him as ‘Honourable Ibrahim’, a serving member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly and the Chairman of Budget and Planning Committee of the House.

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    Garuba was said to have told Su, that he would have to register his company with the Kaduna State Public Procurement Authority and he would pay the sum of N1.6million for the processing.

    After paying the money, the suspects invited Su to the Kaduna State Government Secretariat, where they took him to a makeshift office which had photographs of members of the syndicate as representatives of the Kaduna State Government.

    Rita was said to have presented herself as the Commissioner of Works and Housing, while another member of the syndicate identified as Captain, who is presently at large, presented posed as Commissioner of Finance.

    It was said that the sum of N28million was collected from Su, following which they issued a fake contract awarding letter was issued to him.

    Su, however, demanded a refund of his money after he became suspicious of the deal.

    In order to cover their tracks, Garuba allegedly lured Su to an undisclosed location in Kaduna, where he was kidnapped and a ransom of N2 million was collected from him before he was freed.

    IRT operatives stepped into the matter following a petition received from Su, and Rita, who turned out to be Garuba’s sister-in-law was apprehended leading to Garuba’s eventual arrest.

    Garuba,51, said he got the sum of N15million as his share which he used in building a house in a choice area of Kaduna State.

    He also disclosed that he gave the sum of N200,000 to Waziri as her own share.

    He said: “I went into fraud seven years ago and it was one late Otunba Obanla from Lagos State, who introduced me to the business.  I met Otunba  at a hotel in Kaduna, where he was drinking and we became friends. He taught me how to defraud people looking for contracts and my first job was in 2013, where I defrauded one Alhaji Sani of the sum of N200,000.

    ‘’I took the money from Sani, under the guise of helping him to process the registration of his company with the Kaduna State’s Tender Board, where he intended to secure road contracts.

    “In 2015, I defrauded one Alhaji Tijani, of the sum of N400,000, who also wanted to get contracts from the Kaduna State Government. I also defrauded a Lebanese national of the sum of N7 million who but this time I wasn’t the only person that executed the job and I got N1.5million as my share from the deal.

    ‘’I was later arrested by policemen from the Kaduna State Police Command and after my release, policemen from the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos State arrested me  again and I was made to repay the money I got from the deal to the Lebanese man.

    ‘’In July 2018, Mayowa, brought the Chinese man’s job. He told me that the man needed a road construction contract.  We collected the sum of N1.5 million from the man for the registration of his company and then we took the man to Kaduna State Government House and we used the reception of an office to execute the job.

    ‘’ Rita, who is my elder brother’s wife acted as the Commissioner of Works and Mayowa enlarged Waziri’s  picture and placed it (on the wall) beside that of the Governor and the President, making it look like the office of  the Kaduna State Government.

    ‘’There is a man called Captain,who played the role of the Commissioner of Finance Kaduna State,  while I acted as the Honourable member of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, but Mayowa was the facilitator.

    ‘’We told the Chinese national that the (state) governor wanted him to rehabilitate a 14 kilometer road at Kagoro area of Southern Kaduna, and he was to construct a seven kilometer road first, which will cost N2 billion, and we told him that we were going to get five per cent of the total cost as our share immediately he is mobilized for the contract.

    ‘’We also showed him contract agreements between his company and the Kaduna State Government, and he paid us the sum of N28 million. He stopped paying us more money when he realized that he had been defrauded.

    “I got N15million as my share because I was the person that organized the office that was used for the job and Mayowa got N13million because he has other people including the Captain to settle.  I was the person that settled Waziri and I gave her N200, 000.  I used the rest of my money to develop my landed properties in G.R.A, Kaduna State.

    ‘’I also built a three bedroom flat in the same G.R.A.  I want to quit this business and I am ready to sell all my houses so that I could raise money to pay back the money I took from the Chinese man.  I feel very ashamed of myself that I got myself into this mess now that I have a grandson and I don’t want him to know that I am a fraudster.”

    Rita, a native of Kagoma area of Kaduna State, said she was lured into the syndicate by her brother in-law(Garuba).

    She said: “I am a trader and I sell white yam flour; I am married with a 7-year-old child. I have only school certificate.  I have never done this before and  it was my brother in-law that got me involved into this business.

    ‘’My brother in-law is the younger brother to my husband and he was the person that took me to where I snapped the picture at Banawa shopping complex in Kaduna State.

    ‘’I was also present at the office where I introduced myself as the Commissioner of Works and after we exchange pleasantries I told them that I would not be staying around and I left in  Garuba’s car to my house.

    ‘’Later that day, Garuba gave me the sum of N200, 000 and he didn’t tell me that the money was from the deal I did for him and I thought the money was just a gift.  I didn’t know that the Chinese man was defrauded of the sum of N30.6million.”

  • 2020 Budget extra-ordinary FEC meeting moved to Monday

    By Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

    The extraordinary Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting earlier fixed for Saturday has been shifted to Monday.

    President Muhammadu Buhari is scheduled to preside over the meeting that will consider the 2020 budget proposals before its presentation to the National Assembly on Tuesday by 2pm.

    This was disclosed by a statement  by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Femi Adesina.

    The efforts is towards returning the Federal Government budget cycle from May-June to January-December.

    Read Also: FEC okays N310b for roads projects

    The FEC meeting on Monday is expected to cross the ‘t’s and dot the ‘I’s in final preparation for the submission to the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    The presentation was meant to have taken place in the third week of September, but was stalled  by President Buhari’s participation at the 74th United Nations General Assembly.

    Buhari had also on Wednesday proceeded to South Africa on state visit to honor the invitation of South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, towards discussing welfare of Nigerians, and finding common grounds for building harmonious relations with their hosts.

    He returned to Abuja on Friday evening.

  • Truck driver allegedly kills wife for reporting him to her mum

     By Kunle Akinrinade

    A truck driver identified as Kazeem has allegedly killed his wife, Raimot, for visiting her mother.

    The incident happened penultimate Monday at their residence at Agbalagada compound in Adatan area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Sources said the couple had been engaging in scuffles following which Raimot reported Kazeem to her mother. Kazeem was said to have warned his wife against visiting her mother.

    It was said that Raimot who previously had a son called Farouk with an unnamed man visited her son who lives with her mother.

    The visit was said to have angered Kazeem who told Raimot on her mobile phone not to return home in her own interest for defying his order against visiting her mother.

    The deceased however returned home to Kazeem, who descended on her leading to a fight.

    It was in the middle of the scuffle that Kazeem subjected Raimot to brutality, dragging her on the street till she passed out.

    Read Also: Truck kills eight-year-old boy in Ondo

    Sources told The Nation that Kazeem on realising the consequences of his action rushed his breathless wife to a nearby hospital, where she was confirmed dead.

    A source said: ‘’After a private hospital had rejected Raimot because doctors there said she was brought in dead, her husband took her to a public hospital at Ijaiye area of Abeokuta, but doctors again told him to take her body to mortuary because she was dead.

    ‘’Before now, she had constantly subjected his late wife to beatings and molestation, so much so that his mother in–law had to invite policemen from Adatan Division to arrest him. He however did not stop to brutalise her despite the warning by the police.

    It was learnt that Kazeem lied to men of a police division at Lafenwa, Abeokuta, that Raimot died after she collapsed while fetching water in the neighbourhood.

    Family members and neighbours of the deceased however explained to the police that Kazeem actually killed his wife.

    It was gathered that Kazeem has since bolted without any trace, while the remains of the deceased have been buried according to Islamic injunctions.

    Confirming the incident, police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi said operatives were still on the trail of Kazeem.

    ‘’We are still looking for the suspect, Kazeem. He rushed to the police claiming his wife had an accident. But family members of the deceased and sources in the neighbourhood later revealed that he was actually the one who allegedly beat his wife to death.

    ‘’ The mistake the family members made was to raise the alarm on sighting Kazeem instead of alerting the police to arrest him, which made the suspect to run away. However, we are not going to relent until we arrest him.’’

  • Rotary targets global elimination of illiteracy

    Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    We would continue to take educational programmes seriously towards wiping out illiteracy globally, Rotary International has said.

    Chater President, Rotary Club of Awka Smithtown, Anambra State, Mr Chibueze Adirka, stated this in Nando, Anambra East Local Government Area during the donation of instructional materials worth N500,000 to Central Primary School, Nando.

    Adirka said the visit was to boost the confidence of the pupils to the importance of education as they return to school.

    He said, “Rotary want to wipe out illiteracy from  the face of the earth and are taking seriously its educational program.

    “Rotary wants children of school age to take education serious as the benefits outweigh the struggles involved in achieving success in academics, so we must support education for our children.”

    President of Rotary Club of Awka SmithTown Rotary International, District 9142, Mrs Uzoamaka Okonkwo, said the club set aside September as month of Basic Education and Literacy which necessitated its move to donate learning materials to 320 pupils of the school.

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    “We decided to visit the school in line with rotary areas of focus of touching lives through Basic Education, Water and Sanitation, Disease Presentation and Treatment, Peace, Conflict and Resolution.

    Immediate past President of the club, Mr Tochi Amalu, said

    Rotary International was the only non-governmental organistion in the world with over 1.2 million members in over 200 countries of the world that has well planned activities that governs its functions.

    The incoming president of the club, Mr Chidi Obiudu, urged the public to emulate the foot print of the body in ensuring a safe and progressive society.

    He described education as all encompassing, including teaching children on how to develop healthy hygiene and other acceptable behavioral values.

    “We have thought the pupils on how to care for their teeth and other parts of their body and more importantly on how to maintain healthy living by washing hands always,” he said.

    Responding on behalf of the school, the headmistress, Mrs Uche Emeka commended the Rotary International for the worthy donations, assuring judicious use of the material.